How to Upload and Publish Instant Apps on the Google Play Console 2021

Back in 2020 I started publishing all of my games with instant app compatibility. Initially I found the Play Console’s new layout confusing compared to the old layout and had some trouble figuring out where to upload the instant app. I also couldn’t work out how to add countries and move it to the “active” state when publishing in closed testing. I finally figured it out but it took me longer than I would have liked. For anyone having the same issue follow the steps below.

1. Click on your app in the Play Console and navigate to Setup > Advanced settings. Click on the “Release types” tab and make sure you have “Google Play Instant” selected and it’s active. If not, click “Add release type”, select it from the list and activate it.

I wanted to upload my Instant app to closed testing so that’s what I will be referring to in the following steps, but it’s a similar process if you’re uploading to production or one of the other testing phases.

2. Navigate to Testing > Closed testing and upload your installable app aab/apk file. Also be sure to select countries and testers.

3. Go back to the main Closed testing page where you can see the active tracks. Click on the drop down box in the top right corner that says “Standard” and select “Instant apps only”. Under “Active tracks” click on “Manage track” and then “Create new release”.

4. Now you can upload your instant app aab/apk file. If your instant app is bundled with your main installable app you can simply select the aab file that you uploaded earlier from the library.

5. You will notice under the track summary for the instant app it says “inactive” and “0 countries / regions”. The way you activate it is by adding the countries on the production page for the instant app. Navigate to the Production page and select “Instant apps only” from the drop down menu. Then click the “countries / regions” tab and add the countries.

6. Now if you go back to the track summary for your instant app in closed testing you will see that it’s active and available in the countries that you selected. After that it’s just a matter of waiting for it to pass review. Also keep in mind it can take a few hours for the “Try Now” button to appear on the app’s play store page.

Hope this helps! :)